The Amish Widow's Rescue

About the Book

Book: The Amish Widow’s Rescue

Author: Rachel J Good

Genre: Amish Romance

Release Date: May 28, 2019

The perfect family awaits...if only he'll risk his heart.

 Pregnant and recently widowed, Grace Fisher is determined to provide for her family on her own. Thankfully, her jam business is popular in her Amish community. But it's difficult keeping up with her work, her farm chores, and her two mischievous children. Especially now that they've taken to idolizing their neighbor Elijah. While the handsome farmer is kind and generous, he seems intent on holding Grace and her little ones at a distance... 

Elijah Beiler has always admired his neighbor Grace. So standing by while she struggles to support her family isn't an option. Offering to take over her farm duties, Elijah is determined to help while remaining detached. He knows all too well that love only leads to heartbreak. Yet the more time he spends with Grace and her children, the harder he finds it to leave each day. But can Elijah overcome past hurts and open his heart to this ready-made family?

“A beautiful story of forgiveness and second chances.” -Shelley Shepard Gray, New York Timesbestselling author, on The Amish Teacher’s Gift

My thoughts:  THE AMISH WIDOWS RESCUE is the third book in Ms. Good's Love and Promises series but it does stand alone.

The book starts rather somberly with Grace, an abused wife, losing her husband. Pregnant and overwhelmed, Grace allows neighbor Elijah to assist, but Elijah is quick to judge Grace for everything he sees that he thinks is wrong. Elijah needs to learn that all is not as it seems and that appearances may be deceiving, and Grace needs to learn that not all men are abusive and they can be loving.

Fans of clean romance or Amish fiction  might love Ms. Good's THE AMISH WIDOW'S RESCUE. The faith  message is weak, but does focus on forgiveness.

I was given a copy. All opinions are my own.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Inspirational author Rachel J. Good writes life-changing, heart-tugging novels of faith, hope, and forgiveness. The bestselling author of several Amish romance series, she grew up near Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the setting for many of her stories. Striving to be as authentic as possible, she spends time with her Amish friends, doing chores on their farms and attending family events. Rachel has more than 40 books in print or forthcoming for both children and adults under several pen names. Find out more about Rachel and her books at her website and by signing up for her newsletter.

Rachel’s Amish series include Sisters & Friends (Charisma House & Harlequin), Love & Promises (Hachette/Grand Central), Hearts of Amish Country (Annie’s Book Club), and the forthcoming Unexpected Amish Blessings and Surprised by Love series (Kensington). She also has several anthologies in print as well as the Amish Quilts Coloring Book.

More from Rachel

The story idea for The Amish Widow’s Secret came to me after I’d just finished reading stories to my Amish friend’s children to give her a little break. She was expecting a new baby, and while we sat in their kitchen enjoying a snack, her husband came in.

The tenderness in his eyes as they talked made my eyes well with tears. It was obvious how much they loved each other, and they both supported each other. A perfect companionship. Not everyone gets to experience that bond, that caring.

It made me wonder what she’d do without him, and the seeds of a story was born. I decided to explore how a widow would cope with a pregnancy and two children alone. In the Amish community, of course, no one is ever left on their own. Everyone chips in to help.

So, what if the handsome and reclusive bachelor next door felt obligated to help, but wanted to avoid getting involved? Would he eventually soften his heart toward children and love?

As I wrote, I wondered if Elijah Beiler could get over a previous heartbreak. He needed to face his past before he moved forward, so I gave him that opportunity. A surprise visit and unwelcome news force Elijah to rethink everything he believes about parenting and love. And about the person who destroyed his world. He also needs to face the bitterness he’s been harboring.

Sometimes learning more about the circumstances or reasons of the person who has hurt us causes us to see the whole situation in a new light, making it easier to let go of the hurt. That’s what happens to Elijah.

I hope his journey will encourage readers to consider the places in their lives where they’ve been holding onto pain and reevaluate those experiences in the light of God’s forgiveness and love. To write this story, I needed to do that too.

Blog Stops

Quiet Quilter, May 28

A Reader’s Brain, May 28

Maureen’s Musings, May 29

Through the Lens of Scripture, May 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 29

Among the Reads, May 30

The Avid Reader, May 30

janicesbookreviews, May 30

Emily Yager, May 31

Lighthouse Academy, May 31

Bigreadersite, June 1

THE BECCA FILES, June 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 1

Carla Loves To Read, June 2

Random Thoughts From a Bookworm, June 2

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 3

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, June 3

Vicky Sluiter, June 3

For Him and My Family, June 4

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, June 4

Inspiration Clothesline, June 4

Miss Tina’s Amish Book Review, June 5

For the Love of Literature, June 5

Jeanette’s Thoughts, June 6

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 6

Retrospective Spines, June 7

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 7

Mary Hake, June 8

Inklings and notions, June 8

Pause for Tales, June 8

EmpowerMoms, June 9

Texas Book-aholic, June 9

Genesis 5020, June 10

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, June 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away a grand prize of autographed copies of The Amish Midwife’s Secret and Big-City Amish, a copy of an Amish cookbook, and an authentic Amish headscarf!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e2ab/the-amish-widow-s-rescue-celebration-tour-giveaway

Powerful Prayers for Your Daughter 

Paperback, ebook 

April 16, 2019

by Teigen (Author)

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Revell; Reissue edition 
• ISBN-13: 978-0800735425

From the moment your little girl was born, you knew you were going to be doing a lot of praying. So you may wonder, What exactly should I be praying for?

Parents know that their children need their prayers. But sometimes, they aren't sure where to start. For moms and dads who long to lift their kids up in prayer, Powerful Prayers for Your Daughter and Powerful Prayers for Your Son offer hope, encouragement, and practical help.

Rob and Joanna Teigen assure parents that just because they don't always understand their son or daughter, that doesn't mean that God doesn't. Collecting specific prayers parents can use, along with stories from other parents about how God has answered their prayers, Rob and Joanna give readers a strong foundation to build a lifelong habit of praying for their kids. They also explain what boys and girls need to learn as they grow up, including character, courage, modesty, self-control, forgiveness, and more, so parents can pray for every part of their kids' lives.

My thoughts: POWERFUL PRAYERS FOR YOUR DAUGHTER was originally published in 2014 but it is just as valid today. Our daughters need  our prayers for so many things and the Teigens have made it easy to pray with verses and well thought out prayers for almost every topic imaginable.

For example when my college daughter called feeling so down on herself, I could look up a prayer about self-worth and pray it for her.  The Teigens also included scripture passages for those who want to pray scripture, too.

Another daughter struggles with her self-image, She doesn't have a rail thin body like her sister.  There is a prayer for that, too.  

Over 200 pages of prayers for those who want to pray for their daughter but don't have the right words or  feel their prayers aren't good enough (please note they are good enough, God hears everyone not only  professional prayers,) . 

POWERFUL PRAYERS FOR YOUR DAUGHTER will help you pray for every part of your daughter's life. Recommended.

I was given a copy free. All  opinions are my own.

Pressure Points

NOW AVAILABLE Pressure Points: A Guide to Navigating Student Stress By Shelby Abbott

About the book

Shelby Abbott helps students navigate early adulthood with gospel solutions uniquely applied to everyday struggles Our modern age—saturated with technology, constant cynicism, streamlined digital communication, heavy negativity, relationship status posts, and instant information access—has shaped the way many young people deal with the pressure points of life. With the unique set of pressures students experience in their transition to college, more young adults are struggling with purpose, relationships, failure, community, and isolation than ever before. Author and college ministry leader Shelby Abbott believes that while technology isn’t itself to blame, it forces real issues to surface in the lives of young men and women. Abbott’s new release, Pressure Points: A Guide to Navigating Student Stress aims to confront many of these struggles, big or small, in light of the gospel. With twenty years of experience in college ministry, including performing stand-up comedy for college audiences, Abbott meets readers where they are in a memorable, poignant, and humorous (when appropriate) way—all while unpacking biblical solutions to life’s pressures. “The topics I’m tackling resonate with today’s college students. There hasn’t been much of a voice shepherding them with the modern variables added to their struggles,” Abbott explains. In doing so, he helps students understand the practical applications of the gospel in the big and small of everyday struggles. “When you begin to unpack the gospel, you discover very quickly that it is a bottomless pit of grace. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the answer to all of our struggles, but it can be difficult to see that when you are in the midst of feeling life’s pressures.” Abbott doesn’t shy away from difficult topics that are increasingly relevant to college and some high school students such as navigating failure, God’s will, drinking, sex, pornography, finding authentic community, and the fear of missing out (FOMO). Pressure Points divides the conversations into three sections:  The Pressure of Finding Purpose: including chapters examining the questions “Does God Even Like Me?”, “How Do I Decide my Life’s Direction?” and others. The Pressure of Relationships: covering relationships with friends, family, dating, community and even enemies. The Pressure of Difficulty: addressing the stressors of spiritual warfare and finding Jesus in the Hard Times. Abbott’s hope for Pressure Points is to gently guide young men and women toward the good news they read about in the pages of Scripture. “The gospel helps us to understand and know our place in life and hopefully see how relevant it is to any and every one, regardless of what the culture may look like today. What I want young people to see is that the false gods they run to will ultimately fail them because the void can only be filled by the true God in a relationship with Christ.” Pressure Points: A Guide to Navigating Student Stress by Shelby Abbott April 22, 2019 / Retail Price: $15.99 Print ISBN 978-1-948130-34-9 Religion / Christian Life / Family My thoughts;  Going to college  in the fall? Know someone who is? PRESSURE POINTS is  the book for  stressed out students (that might work for everyone.)  It would be excellent for small group studies or college and career Sunday school classes. It would work for one student alone, too, but it's friendlier with two. The topics are mentioned in the description so I won't repeat them, but they are addressed in a friendly, conversational voice and include discussion questions with room to write. An excellent guide to handling stress and finding yourself. I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own. About the author Shelby Abbott is an author, campus minister, and conference speaker on staff with the ministry of Cru. His passion for university students has led him to speak at college campuses all over the United States. Abbott is the author of Jacked and I Am a Tool (To Help with Your Dating Life). His latest release is Pressure Points: A Guide to Navigating Student Stress. He and his wife, Rachael, have two daughters and live in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Readers can find Abbott online at www.shelbyabbott.com, on Facebook (shelby.abbott.98), Twitter (@shelbyabbott) and Instagram (@shelbyabbott).

Researching Dreams Deferred by June Foster

Dreams Deferred is likely the most exciting book, for me that is, that I've ever written. It is inspired by real life people who just happen to be my great grandmother and great grandfather.

Father Francis Matthew Halbedl was the oldest boy in his Austrian Catholic family in the late 1800's and was expected to go into the priesthood. After becoming ordained, he was transferred to the state of Louisiana in the United States and assigned to a local parish. Something he probably never expected happened and sent his life in a whole new direction. Father Matthew fell in love with a young lady in the congregation who eventually became my great grandmother.

I often tell people my great grandfather was a Catholic priest, and they sometimes get a suspicious look, but Father Matthew's moral standards were high. When the time was right, he resigned the priesthood, and he and Mary Louise Grosse were married.

The first step I took in researching the book was learning more about Father Matthew and Mary Louise Grosse. My daughter had done a bit of research on Ancestries.com and shared her information with me.

Since I'm not of the Catholic faith, I had to do quite a bit of research on the religion. One valuable resource was my husband's sister, Helen, who is a practicing Catholic. She graciously and patiently answered all my questions as well read over my first draft to check for accuracy of information.

My husband, who practiced the faith as a young person, also spoke about what he recollected from his boyhood days. These days, however, we attend Northbrook Baptist Church in Cullman, Alabama.

I wanted to use portions of the words of the mass when Father Matt was carrying out his priestly duties. I found a copy on line but wasn't sure how much I could use without permission. I discovered I could quote 5000 words and under, about the same as the Bible.

In my hometown we have a beautiful Catholic Church in the center of the city—Sacred Heart. I was able to tour the church and take pictures. Too, I visited the parochial school attached to the church. The principal graciously showed us around, and the pastor, Father Patrick Egan, greeted us in the sanctuary. In writing my scenes in my fictional church, St. Aloysius, I could accurately visualize the inside of the church. By the way, my husband's middle name is Aloysius, and he attended St. Aloysius in Bessemer, Alabama as a boy.

The secretary at Sacred Heart also answered my questions about catechism classes for children.

I found the answers to the other million questions I had on line including the name of a Catholic bookstore in the city of San Antonio, Texas, where the story is set.

I hope you'll get a chance to read my novel. There are likely few others on the same subject in which the story is written with discretion and maintains godly standards. Though Father Matt violates his vows of chastity, neither he or the heroine, Mary Louise, commit an immoral sin. I believe Catholics and Protestants both can enjoy this work of fiction inspired by a true story.

Blurb

Frances Matthew Hall is obedient to family tradition: all firstborn sons will serve as a priest. Now Matt officiates at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas. But when on Easter Sunday, he notices a beautiful young woman who takes his breath away, he must fight against his attraction to her or leave the priesthood and alienate his entire family.

Mary Louise Graham is a middle school teacher and devout catholic. Yet no amount of service to the community can ease the heavy load of guilt she carries. God can never forgive her unspeakable mistake. But when Father Matt tells her about a forgiving God through His son Jesus Christ, she's free. Only thing, the Godly priest now means more to her than he should.

Can two people find their way to each other amidst insurmountable obstacles? Dreams Deferred is inspired by the author's great grandfather and great grandmother's story.

Short blurb:

Father Matt Hall wants to serve the Lord. School teacher Mary Louise Graham needs freedom from her unforgivable past. They never expect to fall in love.

Additional blurb:

Father Matthew Hall is a young Catholic priest who wants to serve the Lord. His passion is ministering to at-risk teens through an afterschool program in which he'd teach them the joy of music. Unfortunately the pastor doesn't believe he's ready for such a project.

Mary Louise Graham is a young school teacher who carried a heavy load of guilt. After Father Matt leads her to the One who can forgive her sins, she finds the godly priest means more to her than he should.

The story is inspired by the true story of my great grandfather and great grandmother.

About June Foster

June Foster is an award-winning author who began her writing career in an RV roaming around the USA with her husband, Joe. She brags about visiting a location before it becomes the setting in her next contemporary romance or romantic suspense. June's characters find themselves in precarious circumstances where only God can offer redemption and ultimately freedom. To date June has seen publication of 19 novels and 1 devotional. Find June at junefoster.com.

On a Summer Tide

About the Book

Book: On a Summer Tide

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Christian Fiction Romance

Release Date: April 30, 2019

Sometimes love hurts—and sometimes it can heal in the most unexpected way.

Camden Grayson loves her challenging career, but the rest of her life could use some improvement. “Moving on” is Cam’s mantra. But there’s a difference, her two sisters insist, between one who moves on . . . and one who keeps moving.

Cam’s full-throttle life skids to a stop when her father buys a remote island off the coast of Maine. Paul Grayson has a dream to breathe new life into the island—a dream that includes reuniting his estranged daughters. Certain Dad has lost his mind, the three sisters rush to the island. To Cam’s surprise, the slow pace of island life appeals to her, along with the locals—and one in particular. Seth Walker, the scruffy island schoolteacher harbors more than a few surprises.

With On a Summer Tide, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher begins a brand-new contemporary romance series that is sure to delight her fans and draw new ones.

My thoughts:  When Paul Grayson loses his voice and apparently his mind, he buys a  remote island off the coast of Maine just to own the romantic summer camp where  he met his beloved wife and fell in love.

The story is told in each of the daughters' point of view as well as the father's. I love his optimism and his sense of humor. I'm afraid I wouldn't be as gung-ho about the adventure as he is. I'd  be having  panic attacks like one of the sisters.

There are  certainly a lot of colorful characters, descriptive terms, and multiple personality  types. I quickly grew to care for the characters, wanted to see them succeed,  and I am anxious to read more of their story in subsequent books  in the  series.

Fans of family drama (with a light touch of romance) will love ON A SUMMER TIDE, book one of The Three  Sisters Island series. Ms. Fisher is talented  in so many different time periods and settings, whether Amish, historical, Quaker, or contemporary, and readers  will fall in love with her style.

Grab a copy of ON A SUMMER TIDE today. The perfect summer read.

I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.

Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than thirty books, including Mending Fences, as well as the Nantucket Legacy, Amish Beginnings, The Bishop’s Family, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, among other novels. She is also the author of several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Facebook @SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor and Twitter @suzannewfisher.

More from Suzanne

Oh-So-Maine Blueberry Buckle

Summer in Maine means plump, tart blueberries are everywhere. Here’s a family recipe that is nearly fool-proof….and so delicious! Especially with a scoop or two with vanilla ice cream.

Ever wonder how it got the name Blueberry Buckle? While the batter rises as it bakes, but the blueberries and crumb topping weigh it down. This causes the surface of the cake to buckle…hence the name.

Batter:

¾ cup sugar

¼ cup soft butter

1 egg

½ cup milk

2 cups sifted flour

½ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 cups drained blueberries

Crumb Topping:

½ cup sugar

½ cup flour

½ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ cup softened butter

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix sugar and butter with egg. Stir in milk Sift together and stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Carefully blend in blueberries. Put on topping before baking. Pour in a greased and floured 9” square pan.

Bake 45-50 minutes.

Blog Stops

Just the Write Escape, May 23

The Avid Reader, May 23

The Power of Words, May 23

Blessed & Bookish, May 23

The Morning Chapter, May 24

Blogging With Carol, May 24

Carpe Diem, May 24

Cultivating Us, May 24

Godly Book Reviews, May 25

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, May 25

Mary Hake, May 25

For Him and my Family, May 25

C Jane Read, May 26

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 26

Blossoms and Blessings, May 26

Daysong Reflections, May 26

Lighthouse Academy, May 27

Reader’s Cozy Corner, May 27

Empower Moms, May 27

Remembrancy, May 27

Wishful Endings, May 28

Simple Harvest Reads, May 28

Spoken from the Heart, May 28

SusanLovesBooks, May 28

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 29

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, May 29

Chas Ray’ Book Nerd Corner, May 29

Hallie Reads, May 29

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 30

Maureen’s Musings, May 30

Library Lady’s Kit Lit, May 30

Inspiration Clothesline, May 30

Living Life Free in Christ, May 31

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 31

Pause for Tales, May 31

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 1

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 1

A Reader’s Brain, June 1

Through the Fire Blogs, June 2

Have A Wonderful Day, June 2

Southern Gal Loves to Read, June 2

Quiet Quilter, June 3

2014 and Beyond, June 3

By The Book, June 3

She Lives to Read, June 4

Texas Book-aholic, June 4

janicesbookreviews, June 4

Jeanette’s Thoughts, June 4

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, June 5

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, June 5

Inklings and notions, June 5

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/e540/on-a-summer-tide-celebration-tour-giveaway